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USA, New Jersey: Could State Be Next for Marriage Equality?

Written by scott on July 2nd, 2013

Lots going on in New Jersey this week. Democrats are putting Governor Christie on the spot over the issue. The New York Times reports:

State Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday sought to put Gov. Chris Christie on the defensive for his opposition to same-sex marriage, saying he is standing in the way of history after last week’s Supreme Court decisions acknowledging the equal rights of gays and lesbians. Standing outside the home here of a lesbian couple who has lived together and raised a family for 30 years, Democratic leaders said they would push to override the Republican governor’s veto of a same-sex marriage bill the Legislature passed last year.

Democrats are also pressing republicans in the state legislature on the issue. NJ.com reports:

The state’s top Democratic lawmakers today urged their Republican counterparts to “vote their conscience” to legalize same-sex marriage, but said some GOP lawmakers won’t do this because they don’t want to cross Gov. Chris Christie. Senate President Stephen Sweeney said he will hold a vote to override Christie’s veto of a same-sex marriage bill that passed last year, noting that thousands of gay couples in New Jersey will be ineligible for federal benefits unless lawmakers act soon.